Inside the Studio, Outside the Box

Change is good

We're at it again! We just can't seem to help ourselves... We want your experiences with us to be the best that they can be, so we are always looking for ways to improve. We have been listening and observing for some time now and have found a few things that we can change for the better.

First up; our hours. Back by popular demand, we will be open six days a week again! We realize that many of you make a conscience effort to support us as your LYS and drive a distance to do so; therefore we feel we should make it more convenient for you to come in during the week. Starting November 5th we will have new hours.

Our new hours are:

Tuesday & Thursday 1-7pm

Wednesday & Friday 11am-7pm

Saturday 10am-5pm

Sunday 1-5pm

Closed Monday

Next up; in store help. We know that a big reason to shop at a LYS is so that you have a knowledgeable staff to help you with common knitting questions and mistakes. We have been educating and training so anyone on the floor can help with dropped stitches, changing a knit to a purl, recognizing a mistake, confusion with a pattern, and finding a yarn to go with a pattern you’ve fallen in love with.

Need more specialized help? Yuko, our resident expert can help! She is available for private lessons and we have developed a new “class” by her called SOS that is helpful when you don’t need a private lesson.

SOS is a time we have designated for Yuko to be available (usually 2 hour windows) in our classroom for specialized help without an appointment.

$5 for each half hour, limited to 4-6 each time slot, based on first signed in, first served.

We think this is a good start. We have more things in the works including our own YouTube channel, new classes and mini workshops! We hope that you enjoy all the great things that are happening in the Studio as we continue to make Creative U Studios your favorite LYS.

 

 

Posted with Blogsy

New Hours

After much consideration and in light of recent issues that have risen, we have decided to change our hours slightly. Our new hours will be in effect immediately.

Our New Hours:

Wed & Fri 11am-7pm

Thursday 11am-5pm

Saturday 10am-5pm

Sunday 1-5pm

We will be closed Monday and Tuesday.

When there is a class schduled outside our normal hours we will be available 15 minutes before class starts in case you have to purchase any materials for class. This is also why we have to strictly enforce our class policies.

Please make sure that you register for a class that you want to attend at least 48 hours in advance, or the class may be cancelled - you may be the reason we run a class or not!

We understand that change can be frustrating, but we hope that you can understand that this was necessary.

~A

 

Costs of doing business

There are many costs to doing business and any shop owner is usually aware of them before they open their doors to the public. By the time their first year of business is over they are intimately acquainted with them. There's inventory, payroll, advertising, merchandising, attorney and accounting fee, taxes, shrink, time away from family and many more. None of these are a surprise to me, but one in particular had me shocked (and a little sick to my stomach) by the amount in which there was. You may think you know which one I am talking about: taxes - no; payroll - no....SHRINK.

"What's shrink," you ask. Well, in short its theft.

I am no stranger to the retail business and was very successful in keeping shrink down for the company I worked for. I have dealt with shrink theft on a somewhat small scale in the two plus years we have been open and while it was eye opening, it didn't prepare me for what has gone on recently in the Studio.

I will be honest with you, it isn't just shocking that people would steal from a yarn shop, but that it's the same people that we have invited into what many of us consider a second home. I have always thought that the knitting community was such a cool mix of old and young, artsy and not, boisterous and solemn compassionate people that knew the importance of community. The resounding comment to those that have become aware of the problem is “Really? But these are knitters, who would do that??”

Well, at the risk of sounding out of touch with my business, I am not entirely sure. After doing a little research, I found out that shoplifting caused 30% of small businesses to fail in 2001 and continues to become a bigger problem. A striking statistic I found was that small businesses will incur an inventory shrink rate of between 1-8% of their revenue. What determines their percentage is prevention more than anything. I now know that there are things and procedures that I have to change if I want to ensure that we are still open in another year.

Most changes will be internal and be for our staff. For you the changes will amount to even better customer service and help always available when we’re open! Our hope is that by letting you know what has happened you will be able to help us keep the sense of community and integrity that we have worked so hard to cultivate in the Studio.

We love what we have created and don’t want to see it disappear. We hope that you feel the same.

~A

Not the best day to visit the studio

Goods news and bad news. Good news...they are finally resurfacing the parking lot! Even better news...it should all be done today!!

Bad news...they have closed the entire parking lot to do it all at once; so there is limited parking on the street and you will have to walk around to us.

We are still open until 7 tonight in case a little walking has never scared you away from obtaining fabulous fiber!!

Have you been in to see the new Studio yet?

We've heard from so many of you that have come to check us out that:

#1 "It's really not any further"

#2 "It's SO much better!"

#3 "There's so much more room!"

and my favorite: "WOW, this is awesome!!"

Yes, the move was a bit unexpected; but sometimes life throws a curve ball and you manage to hit a double with it. That's truly how I look at this situation. We all feel that the move has been a very positive one. We will be able to hold more classes, expand our sewing class offering and even be able to expand into other yarn and fabric related activities. You, our faithful friends don't have to worry if there is going to be a class when you want to come in and knit and hangout (classes take place in the classrooms); there is always room for you during our regular hours! And with two separate areas to sit and knit, each accommodating at least 10-11 people you're sure to always find a seat!!

We really love the new Studio and hope that if you haven't, you come in and check it out soon!

~A

Spring is full of happy changes

Nature is busy going through beautiful changes and so are we!

We all know that change happens and it seems that the most anticipated change happens in the spring. So it seems only fitting to announce this now… Creative U Studios will be focusing on our growing Fiber Arts community along with Sewing classes as well as our popular kids’ classes.

This decision didn't come lightly and although my first love is papercrafting I believe this is the right path for the Studio. Lucky for papercrafters in this valley we have plenty of shopping destinations. We are looking forward to really being able to focus on what has very quickly become my favorite craft - Knitting. (Well, we'll be bringing in even more yarn, which can be used for all kinds of Fiber Arts.)

Keep your eye on us as we perfect our vision and your experience at the Studio. We'll be adding more classes, products, patterns & books.

Some people avoid change, for me personally I have always embraced and looked forward to it. I hope that you all see the changes in the Studio in the same light as I do – exciting and fresh!

See you soon,

Amanda

SUPER EXCITED!!

I can finally cross off a, b & c!

    a) I finally get my lease signed

    b) Get keys in my hot little hand

    c) Can finally announce where & when I will be open and lure you all in to play in the Studio!

Yay! The lease is signed and executed. I have shiny new keys in my hands. And drum roll, please...

Creative U Studios will be opening soon at:

26370 Diamond Place, Ste 509

Santa Clarita, Ca 91350

I have lots more I want to tell you about and plan on sharing the before pictures here soon, but today is a very busy Mommy day so you will have to check back soon for all the details.

Have a great afternoon!

~A

 

 

The harder the fight, the sweeter the victory

Right?!? I really do believe that it's true. So I know  that it will be one sweet victory when

a) I finally get my lease signed

b) Get keys in my hot little hand

c) Can finally announce where & when I will be open and lure you all in to play in the Studio!

For now though, I have to be patient, open-minded and keep my cool. Thank you all for being so patient with me as well. I can only you believe me when tell you that it will all be worth it in the end!

That's all for now. Have a great afternoon!

~A

Another lesson in business

No matter how much it looks like things will go smoothly, don't count on it until it over.

Case in point: Sunday morning I get an email asking if I am ready to sign my lease and can I do it on Monday. Yay! I am so excited (and nervous) to FINALLY get moving into the space and get ready to open!

There were a few issues with the paperwork, so it needs to be reworked. No biggie, maybe we can sign the next day.

That turns into two days. Less than five minutes before I am supposed to meet the building owner to sign new paperwork there is a new problem. Ok, maybe we can sign the next day.

Or, maybe not.

The third time is the charm?...I have an appointment in the morning to sign my lease. Wish me luck!

Hopefully my next post is all about the excitement of FINALLY getting the keys!!

Some days are more productive than others

 And today was one of those seemingly endless, unproductive days. I don't have much to show for today except that I have one little sneak peak of the kit for next week's class.

 

The plan was to get the sample finished and start planning next month's classes and events. But instead, I handled moer of the business end of things again today. All good stuff, but not very much concrete evidence of me getting anything done. That's just how some days are...tomorrow is another day!

Have a great evening!

~A